Inquiry Office, Windsor

Valley Laboratory

The Inquiry Office is part of the Valley Laboratory of The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in Windsor, CT. This Office answers inquiries about plants, plant health, plant diseases, and animals and their affects on plants, humans and structures; weeds and their management, professionals and householders alike.

Thomas Rathier is responsible for the Inquiry Office. The office is located on the basement level of The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s Valley Laboratory at 153 Cook Hill Rd., Windsor, CT 06095. Business hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m- 4:30 p.m.

Plant samples can be submitted in person or by mail. Diagnosis involves visual assessment, microscopic examination and other procedures as necessary.

Questions or requests for information can be made by phone, fax, email or in person.

For more information:

Thomas Rathier
Inquiry Office
Valley Laboratory
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
153 Cook Hill Rd., PO Box 248
Windsor, CT 06095

Phone: (860) 683-4977
Fax: (860) 683-4987

E-mail: Thomas.Rathier@po.state.ct.us

How to Collect and Submit Plant Samples

1. Collect fresh specimens. Send or bring a generous amount of material, if available.
2. Ship or bring in crush proof containers immediately after collecting. If mailing or shipping, try to time it to arrive during the business week.
3. Incomplete information or poor specimens may result in an inaccurate diagnosis or inappropriate management suggestions. Damaged or dead specimens are often unidentifiable and requests for additional samples can cause delays.
4. If possible, provide complete background information about the specimen(s) or sample(s). A form to accompany samples is available upon request from this office or from The Experiment Station website.

Mailing Address:
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Valley Laboratory Plant Disease Office
PO Box 248
Windsor, CT 06095

Physical Address (for office visits, UPS, FedEx, etc.):
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Valley Laboratory Plant Disease Office
153 Cook Hill Rd.
Windsor, CT 06095

Submitting Plant Specimens for Disease/Injury Diagnosis:

1. Herbaceous Plants: for general decline or dying of plants, send whole plants showing early symptoms. Dig the plant carefully to keep the roots and adjacent soil intact. Send several plants. Bundle plants together and wrap the roots in a plastic bag. Wrap the entire bundle of plants in newspaper and place in a crush-proof container for shipment. Do not add water.

2. Trees with Symptoms of Wilt: collect branches approximately 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter from portions of the canopy which are actively wilting or yellowing but not totally dead. Branches can be cut into pieces for shipping. Wrap in plastic to retain moisture and send immediately.

3. Leaves, Branches or Fleshy Parts of Woody Ornamentals: send specimens representing early and moderate stages of the symptoms you are observing. For cankers, include healthy portions from above and below the diseased area. Press leaves flat between heavy paper or cardboard. Wrap fleshy parts in dry paper and place in a plastic bag. Do not add water. Send sample as soon as possible.

4. Turf: sample plugs should be at least 4-6 square inches and include the transition area between the diseased and healthy portion of grass. The sample should also be cut deep enough so as to include the root system. Wrap the sample in newspaper and place it in a plastic bag. The sample should be sent immediately.

Suggested Sample for Turf

Submitting Plant Specimens for Identification:

1. For plant identification, include a 6-10 inch sample of the terminal (tip) portion of the stem with side buds, leaves, and flowers in identifiable condition.

2. Place the sample flat between a layer or two of dry newspaper, paper toweling, or a similar material.

3. Pack the wrapped bundle in plastic, preferably with a piece of cardboard to keep the sample flat. Do not add water.

4. For fruit identification, wrap whole, uncut fruit specimens in paper, place in a crush-proof box, and pack with additional paper to prevent damage.

7 September 1999 (revised)